Ullock Pike's more impressive side at the start of Longside Edge
Ullock Pike
Guarding the northernmost approaches of the massif, Ullock Pike marks the dramatic launch point of Longside Edge along Skiddaw’s celebrated southwestern ridge. By linking directly over this crest to its sister peaks, Long Side and Carl Side, walkers gain access to what is widely celebrated as the finest, most scenic high-level mountain route to ascend the mighty peak of Skiddaw.
The name of the fell carries a wonderful historical echo, originating from the Old Norse language to translate roughly as "the peak where the wolves play." Derived from "úlfr" (wolf) and "leikr" (play), ancient 13th-century manuscripts preserve its early name as Ulvelaik—a testament to the wild, untamed nature of these slopes in centuries past.
Ullock Pike possesses a split personality depending entirely on your point of view. For walkers approaching from the north, it reveals its finest side, standing out as a remarkably sharp, slender, and elegant pyramid cutting into the skyline. From other vantage points, however, it loses its independence, appearing merely as a modest hummock tracking along the tail end of Longside Edge. With just 14 meters of independent prominence, it falls short of the thresholds required to qualify as a standalone Hewitt or Nuttall hill.
The small summit cairn reveals a superlative view of Dodd, Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite, and the North Western Fells
The high point features a compact, intimate crest beautifully carpeted with mountain heather and marked by a small stone cairn. While the looming gray bulwark of Skiddaw aggressively cuts off the eastern horizon, the remaining views are absolute classics. Standing at the cairn reveals a stellar, expansive panorama that traces the full length of Bassenthwaite Lake, steps across the green foot of Dodd, and sweeps over the shimmering waters of Derwent Water to meet the jagged teeth of the North Western Fells.
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